Mr Mathers, who is also chair of the Murray Regional Strategy Group and deputy mayor of Murray River Council, said this inquiry is a chance to address the cumulative impacts of changes to the way irrigation water is shared between the states.
Deniliquin is one of eight towns selected to host an ‘open town hall session’ with the Inspector-General of the Murray–Darling Basin Water Resources Mick Keelty.
It will be held at the Deniliquin RSL Club from 10am to 11am Thursday, January 23.
Feeding into the session will be the responses to an online survey, for which the deadline has been extended until this Sunday.
Some of those who complete the survey may also be called upon to participate in private hearings.
Matters to be taken into consideration in the inquiry are:
● Impact of changing distribution of inflows to the southern Basin on state shares under the Murray–Darling Basin Agreement.
● Any consequential impacts on state water shares resulting from reserves required under the Murray–Darling Basin Agreement.
It will also explore the inflows and supply into the Murray–Darling Basin, delivery of water and water sharing, the inquiry is also expected to consider and outline potential opportunities for enhancement.
‘‘The emphasis is on the water sharing agreements which go back to the beginning of time almost, and in a lot of ways it does make sense to go back to the beginning and measure the flow on impacts of all the changes,’’ Mr Mathers said.
‘‘With all the amendments and changes over time we have continued to lose a little bit (of water) here, and a little bit more there.
‘‘We all realise we are in a dry cycle, but in the last two decades the impacts have been more severe than they seeded to be (because of water management policy).This is not just climate change. It is far bigger than climate change.
‘‘At some stage in this process there will have to be some difficult discussions with South Australia. We cannot afford to do this on a state parochial basis, and sending water out to sea at the other end of the system is not sustainable on a long term basis.
‘‘I hope Mick Keelty can genuinely, and forensically, unpack all the successions of change and their impacts. This region has a bleak future in agriculture otherwise.’’
Hearings will also be held in Albury, Mildura, Renmark, Griffith, Langhorne Creek, Shepparton and Swan Hill.
To register your interest in attending a session, email gmdb@agriculture.gov.au indicating your preferred location.
To participate in the survey, go to https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/inquiry-murray-darling-basin.